Authors: Viral Gosai, Padma ambalam, Maya Raman, C.R. Kothari, R.K. Kothari, B.R.M. Vyas and Navin R. Sheth

Viral Gosai

Department of Pharmacy; Saurashtra University; Rajkot, India

Padma ambalam

Corresponding author: padma_ambalam@yahoo.com
Department of Biotechnology; Christ College; Rajkot, India

Maya Raman

School of Industrial Fisheries; Cochin University of Science and Technology; Kerala, India

C.R. Kothari

Department of Biotechnology; Christ College; Rajkot, India

R.K. Kothari

Department of Microbiology; Christ College; Rajkot, India

B.R.M. Vyas

Department of Biosciences; Saurashtra University; Rajkot, India

Navin R. Sheth

Department of Pharmacy; Saurashtra University; Rajkot, India

The protective effect of Lactobacillus rhamnosus 231 (Lr 231) against potent carcinogen N-Methyl-N'-Nitro-N-Nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) in the rat model is studied. Daily feeding with Lr 231 improved the body weight of male Wistar rats compared with control groups. Fecal azoreductase (p < 0.001) and nitroreductase (p < 0.01) enzyme activity decreased significantly in Lr 231 group in comparison with control groups that received only phosphate buffer or MNNG. Oral administration of MNNG led to a significant increase in Glutathione transferase (GST) while Glutathione reductase (GSH) showed decreased activity. Conversely, feeding Lr 231 showed significantly increased GSH and decreased GST activity in comparison to the MNNG group, emphasizing the protection provided by Lr 231 against MNNG. Histopathological analysis of liver, spleen and colon showed decreased signs of inflammation in the Lr 231 group. The present study highlights that inclusion of active Lr 231 in regular diets could be used to prevent MNNG induced colon carcinoma.